Medical treatment for Abbey
Donation protected
All of us have heroes in our lives and as we know, they seldom wear capes or spend their time saving the world from impending disaster. Sometimes, the most heroic thing a person can do is get up and bravely face each new day. Abbey Bredenkamp is that kind of hero.
As many of you know, Abbey was diagnosed with Adult Stills Disease in 2010. Over the past seven years, people around the world have rallied to assist and offer hope and encouragement. A highlight was in the fall of 2012 when Abbey’s sister, Ashley, organized a fundraiser to enable Abbey to visit Mayo Clinic. Abbey returned to Mayo Clinic a second time in 2014. These visits guided the treatment that has allowed Abbey to manage Stills Disease as well as she has.
But progress has slowed over the past couple of years and she, and her sweet family, are again at a crossroads regarding treatment options. Abbey was diagnosed with Opioid-induced Hyper Analgesia. Basically, the pain medication used while medications were being adjusted over the past few years has caused Abbey to experience pain at a much more severe level than normal.
The first step Abbey had to take to address this new development was to slowly discontinue the use of all pain medications. Abbey and her physicians have been able to successfully complete this step during her last several hospitalizations.
The second, more critical step will be to complete a 3 to 4-day regiment of Ketamine infusions in a clinical setting, then continue at-home treatment. She will need additional infusions at 3 and 6 months. This ground-breaking treatment is currently conducted at only a few research medical schools and the National Institute for Health and is not covered by Abbey’s health insurance provider. The Ketamine infusions will reprogram the pain receptors in Abbey’s brain, which currently register pain as much more intense then it would be to the average person.
As we know, Stills Disease has taken so much from Abbey. It has robbed her of experiences most of us take for granted each day. Spending time with family and friends. Preparing and enjoying a family dinner each evening. Tucking her daughter into bed each night. Serving her community as the nurse she was trained to be. The list goes on.
As we ask you to again rally to support Abbey, it is worth noting that initially, Abbey did not want another fundraiser created on her behalf. She felt it would be unfair to ask for more support when so many had already given so much. But she isn’t asking. Her friends are.
We are asking you to support this next step in Abbey’s road to recovery because she is worth it. Abbey is worth fighting for. She is worth investing in. And truly, what better investment than the life of someone you love?
As many of you know, Abbey was diagnosed with Adult Stills Disease in 2010. Over the past seven years, people around the world have rallied to assist and offer hope and encouragement. A highlight was in the fall of 2012 when Abbey’s sister, Ashley, organized a fundraiser to enable Abbey to visit Mayo Clinic. Abbey returned to Mayo Clinic a second time in 2014. These visits guided the treatment that has allowed Abbey to manage Stills Disease as well as she has.
But progress has slowed over the past couple of years and she, and her sweet family, are again at a crossroads regarding treatment options. Abbey was diagnosed with Opioid-induced Hyper Analgesia. Basically, the pain medication used while medications were being adjusted over the past few years has caused Abbey to experience pain at a much more severe level than normal.
The first step Abbey had to take to address this new development was to slowly discontinue the use of all pain medications. Abbey and her physicians have been able to successfully complete this step during her last several hospitalizations.
The second, more critical step will be to complete a 3 to 4-day regiment of Ketamine infusions in a clinical setting, then continue at-home treatment. She will need additional infusions at 3 and 6 months. This ground-breaking treatment is currently conducted at only a few research medical schools and the National Institute for Health and is not covered by Abbey’s health insurance provider. The Ketamine infusions will reprogram the pain receptors in Abbey’s brain, which currently register pain as much more intense then it would be to the average person.
As we know, Stills Disease has taken so much from Abbey. It has robbed her of experiences most of us take for granted each day. Spending time with family and friends. Preparing and enjoying a family dinner each evening. Tucking her daughter into bed each night. Serving her community as the nurse she was trained to be. The list goes on.
As we ask you to again rally to support Abbey, it is worth noting that initially, Abbey did not want another fundraiser created on her behalf. She felt it would be unfair to ask for more support when so many had already given so much. But she isn’t asking. Her friends are.
We are asking you to support this next step in Abbey’s road to recovery because she is worth it. Abbey is worth fighting for. She is worth investing in. And truly, what better investment than the life of someone you love?
Organizer and beneficiary
Alison Duis
Organizer
Buchanan, MI
Abbey Michelle Bredenkamp
Beneficiary